Closings

Severe Weather

Program sets foundation for success

OMAHA, Neb. -

A new program is helping parents achieve their educational dreams while inspiring their kids to do the same.

For many parents, life can get in the way of a college degree when there is no time, money or energy, but with Metropolitan Community College’s parent involvement program, it is possible to head back to school.

Cynthia Stubblefield, who is in the program, studies, works and raises seven kids.

“I have a ninth-grader, and I really press her to go to college, and for me to do that I have to be successful in doing so as well,” Stubblefield said.

A grant funds the project for 14 low-income, first-generation college students with kids in metro schools. The program funds foundation classes for each parent and sets up a group meeting twice a month for them to talk about class and to connect as parents.

“A networking group to where we're all doing the same thing, which is going to school and trying to raise successful children,” Stubblefield said.

Elmer Crumbley with the college is passionate about the possibilities for these parents. He was a first-generation college student and now he is helping others succeed.

“I believe in dreams,” he said.

Medesse Noukopcounkou’s dream is to become a nurse. She moved from Africa to the United States with her two kids.

“It would change a lot. That would be good for my family,” she said.

The heart of the program is to overcome barriers as a family, changing lives for future generations.

“There's no experience like that -- to see the light come on, to see that students are so close to their dream,” Crumbley said.

The grant at the college will fund the parent involvement program for the next two years.

Copyright 2013 byKETV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.

As top GOP presidential candidates arrived at a hotel here to court the influential donors of the Koch network, Charles Koch called on retreat attendees to unite with him in a campaign against "corporate welfare" and "irresponsible spending" by both ...